Grishma (Necoh Saga)

by Kelly Blount

  “Do you think you can take everyone with you without being noticed?”

  Calla shrugged her shoulders. “I’m not sure there’s any other choice.”

  “Wait, wait, wait,” interrupted Albie. “When you say everyone, you mean everyone but me? Right?”

  “I can’t ask you to continue this journey with me. It’s too dangerous,” said Ryder.

  “You don’t need to ask,” replied Albie. “I’ll continue with you no matter what. I imagine Pidifer won’t leave this castle without his brother, either, am I right?”

  Pidifer nodded.

  Ryder looked at Lant and Kroy. “Will you two go with Calla and the others? They will need someone to help them navigate under the city wall and they’ll need somewhere to hide far away from Sumner. Perhaps you could take them to the caves? I have enough supplies there to last you all for quite some time.”

  “Yes, of course we will,” responded Kroy, still holding on to his wife.

  “And I know where the caves are,” said Lant.

  “Here, take this battle-axe,” said Ryder.

  “And this torch,” said Albie.

  “We must hurry, the next guard will be here soon,” said Calla.

  Ryder looked at the familiar faces in front of him. “Thank you for all of your help. I never could have made it this far without you. Please stay safe, and once Grishma has been slain, I promise, I will find you!”

  Hugs were given and tears were shed.

  “It’s time,” said Calla. “Good luck.”

  The group of freed prisoners left through a far door that had once been guarded under lock and key. Once they were gone, Ryder sighed with relief.

  Pidifer looked worried. “I sure hope they make it out of here!”

  “Me too,” said Albie.

  “As do I,” replied Ryder. “Now, come on, guys! We don’t have much time. Let’s go!”

  Chapter Nineteen

  HER HEART SANK AND FRESH tears stung her eyes. “Goodbye, Father,” said Sophie.

  Wrapping his arms around her tightly, he kissed her forehead and replied, “Goodbye, my love.”

  “Father, I will miss you so very much. What if I am lonely in Dratun?”

  “I will think of you every day that you are gone, my sweet daughter. And don’t worry, you won’t be lonely. Brianna and Emlyn are going with you. They will keep you company. Plus, Prince Algid loves you very much. You needn’t worry about anything.”

  Her stomach felt nauseous and her heart pounded in her chest.

  Am I really about to do this? I’m leaving my home, my father, and my kingdom!

  The King looked over his shoulder and said, “Darling, you may come say your goodbyes now.”

  Gliding into the room, Lady Adeline dripped with precious jewels and golden rings. “Oh, my precious Princess Sophie! Today, I too, feel like I’m losing a daughter!”

  Lady Adeline drew Sophie into her arms and squeezed her tightly. When she pulled away, she blinked back a few tears and then buried her face in the King’s chest.

  Before any further goodbyes were issued, Algid strode into the room. “Princess Sophie, our royal carriage awaits. It is time for us to depart.”

  Stealing one last hug and kiss on the cheek from her father, Sophie turned to face her new husband and said, “I am ready, my Prince.”

  Plush emerald colored material covered the inside of the royal carriage and fluffy pillows in silky golden cases lined the seats.

  Leaning back on one of the pillows, Sophie sighed.

  “What’s wrong?” asked Algid.

  Smiling, she said, “Oh, it’s nothing. I’m just quite tired from all of the festivities.”

  “I can only begin to imagine how you feel right now. Everyone has been so worried about you since you went missing. Then you get home, we get married, and now we are on our way to Dratun, all in less than a week!”

  She chuckled. “I think more has happened this week than any other week in my life.”

  His face went from cheerful to serious. “I hope you are happy to be joining me in Dratun?” asked Algid.

  “Of course! It will just be strange moving somewhere and only knowing three people.”

  “Don’t worry, you will make many friends there, my sweet Princess.”

  “Do you really think the people of Dratun will like me?”

  Leaning forward, Algid looked directly into her eyes and said, “Of course! What’s not to like about you?”

  Sophie dropped her head and smiled sweetly. “I’m so lucky to be married to such a wonderful prince.”

  “And I to you.”

  Turning to gaze out the window, Sophie looked at the familiar sights of the castle grounds. The royal gardens were stunning this time of year. Her eyes swept over beautiful indigo and orange flowers that were in full bloom. Then her eyes landed on a brown, wilted section of the garden. How strange. I wonder what happened over there?

  The carriage continued forward and the stables came into view.

  “Do you ride?” asked Sophie.

  “Yes, I love to. You?” said Algid.

  “Yes.”

  An awkward pause followed their brief conversation.

  “Um, where are Emlyn and Brianna?” she asked.

  “They departed a short time ago,” said Algid. Then, he flashed a killer smile. “I thought it might give us some private time on the trip to our new home.”

  It felt like faeries had invaded her stomach and her palms turned clammy.

  As they departed the castle’s main gate and entered the streets of Sumner, hundreds of people waved and cheered.

  One woman shouted, “We will miss you, Princess Sophie!”

  Shortly after, Sophie heard a man with a rough voice say, “May you live happily ever after!”

  Happiness swirled throughout her body and she couldn’t stop smiling.

  Suddenly, a high-pitched, frantic voice shouted, “Where is Ryder? What have you done with him?”

  “Ryder?” After repeating the name to herself, something strange happened. The air whooshed out of her lungs and an odd memory flooded her mind. She was at some party in a strange house with tons of people, a punch bowl, and tables full of strange food.

  That’s when it happened. She locked eyes with a handsome young man across the room. He had jet-black hair and striking emerald green eyes. Then Sophie heard a familiar voice, “…that’s Ryder…” Trying to recall the memory, she could only make out the name, Ryder. The other words were too muffled to understand.

  Someone shook her gently by the shoulders, interrupting the rest of the memory. “Princess Sophie! Are you okay? What has happened? Princess?”

  Shaking her head, she said, “Huh?”

  “Oh thank goodness! My love, I was so worried!” exclaimed Algid. “What happened to you?”

  Do I tell him about this strange memory? Was it even a memory? Perhaps it was a dream?

  “Um, I don’t know,” she stammered. “I think I just became light-headed, that’s all. I’m sorry for worrying you.”

  He gently touched her chin with his hand and looked deeply into her eyes. “Are you sure you’re okay? We can turn around and depart another time.”

  She smiled sweetly at Algid. “No, no, I’m fine. I promise.”

  “Well, please take a drink,” he said producing a glass goblet filled with green juice.

  “Oh kuba juice, my favorite,” she responded with a smile. She lifted the glass goblet to her lips and took a refreshing sip of the cool, sweet, liquid.

  The prince smiled back at her and gently moved a stray strand of hair from her face. “I feel like the luckiest man in the world. You know that, don’t you?” he asked.

  “You are too sweet,” said Sophie.

  As the royal carriage rolled on through the city and past the city walls, Algid showered her with kisses and backrubs.

  Eventually, the loud atmosphere outside of the curtained carriage turned peaceful.

  “Would you like some fresh air?
” asked Algid.

  “That would be lovely,” responded the princess.

  He flung open the curtains and inhaled deeply. “Ah, the beautiful countryside!”

  Sophie looked around with a wide-eyed expression. A dense forest and gently sloping mountains had replaced the green rolling hills of Sumner. Small animals scurried about and large creatures covered in dark wool drank from a nearby babbling brook.

  “I’ve never seen anything so beautiful,” she whispered.

  Her husband smiled.

  “What?” asked Sophie.

  He responded, “I will never tire of looking at your beautiful face.”

  They continued to enjoy the serene surroundings until her stomach began to growl.

  “Time for lunch?” he asked.

  “That would be wonderful! I’m starving!”

  Algid rang a small bell within the plush carriage and the coachman pulled over.

  A short stumpy man opened the door and reached for Princess Sophie’s hand.

  “Excuse me?” snapped the prince.

  “Pardon?” said the man.

  “What gave you the idea that you should be opening our door?” Algid demanded.

  Why is he being so snappy?

  She placed her hand on his shoulder and said, “It’s okay, honey.”

  He melted under her touch. “I apologize for my tone.”

  Sophie smiled and brushed off the incident as a simple misunderstanding.

  She carefully stepped out of the carriage with the help of the dejected man and her feet sunk in to the thick grass alongside the dirt road.

  “Your lunch is right this way,” said a familiar voice.

  Sophie turned around and broke out into a large smile. “Brianna!”

  Brianna returned the smile and clasped hands with Sophie. “So, how has your trip been so far?”

  “Very well! The land is so beautiful here! Such a shame it won’t be like this in Dratun,” said Sophie.

  “Be like what in Dratun?” asked another voice.

  “Emlyn! You’re here, too? Did you both ride in the same carriage?”

  “Yes,” said Emlyn. “We waited for you at the edge of the forest and then followed behind your carriage until just now.”

  Sophie’s grumbling stomach interrupted their conversation and the three girls giggled.

  “I guess it’s really time to eat!” Sophie announced.

  Her husband joined some of the King’s men to eat, while she sat with Brianna and Emlyn.

  Lunch consisted of many delicacies, ranging from roca roots that had been lightly sautéed in kinu nut oil, to fresh bink slices, to a delicate pastry filled with sporie.

  “This is delicious!” said Emlyn.

  Nodding her head, Brianna wiped off some bink juice that was dribbling down her chin. “I concur.”

  Arching an eyebrow, Emlyn smiled playfully and asked, “What about your trip? Has Prince Algid kept you busy?”

  Sophie immediately felt bashful and she raised her hands to her face to cover her red cheeks.

  “Fine, just fine,” she said as she reached for another pastry.

  “Ooooh! Are you eating for two already?” teased Emlyn.

  “Oh my goodness! No!” responded Sophie. “We haven’t—I mean—Well, it, it’s just not like that. Not yet!”

  “Whatever you say, Princess Sophie,” joked Emlyn.

  Even though she had been fairly quiet during lunch, Brianna laughed when Emlyn pretended to be both Algid and Sophie kissing in their royal carriage.

  “You are terrible! Stop!” laughed Sophie.

  Eventually lunch came to an end and the girls’ appetites were sufficiently satisfied.

  Algid popped up from behind one of the carriages, his eyes twinkling. “And what are you three laughing about?”

  “Nothing,” said Brianna, just before bursting into another fit of laughter.

  “Okay, okay, come on, ladies. Let’s get back on the road or we’ll never make it to Dratun!”

  “See you at dinner?” asked Emlyn.

  “You better believe it!” replied Sophie with a smile.

  Climbing back into the royal carriage, Sophie thought back to the flashback she’d had just as they were leaving the castle grounds. It left her with a strange feeling in her stomach that teetered somewhere in between giddiness and nervousness.

  Who is Ryder? Should I ask my husband about it? No, perhaps it’s best not to. Hmm… I think I’ll ask the girls at our next stop.

  “My darling, if you would like, you may rest. I know you have been extremely busy and I can only imagine just how tired you must feel.”

  “I suppose you’re right, I am awfully tired,” responded Sophie.

  She twisted her body about until she was in a comfortable position with her head resting on a pillow in Algid’s lap. As the carriage bounced along, Sophie fell into a deep sleep.

  Opening her eyes, Sophie realized that night had fallen.

  “You’re awake,” whispered Algid.

  “I guess I was more tired than I thought.”

  “We stopped for dinner awhile ago. I told Brianna and Emlyn that you were still sleeping. I hope you don’t mind?”

  Darn! I was hoping to talk to them about this Ryder situation!

  “That’s okay,” said Sophie.

  “I did save you some dinner, though. Are you hungry?”

  “Sure. Thank you.”

  Algid pulled out a basket containing silverware and a covered plate.

  Peeling the cover back, Sophie inhaled. “Yum! Smells delicious!”

  While she started to eat, Algid poured her a glass of kuba juice.

  In between bites, she asked, “When do you think we’ll arrive in Dratun?”

  “The trip should take about three days,” he said.

  She took several more bites of food and washed it all down with several sips of juice.

  “So, tell me, what is Dratun like?”

  “Well, I have to warn you, it’s very cold there. We already have our head tailor crafting you and your ladies-in-waiting a new wardrobe.”

  “Is it always cold?”

  “Yes, but you’ll get used to it. Plus, I’ll be there to keep you warm!” said the Prince with a sexy smile.

  He took the empty plate out of her hands and placed it back in the basket. Then, he slid next to her on the cushiony seat and cupped her face in his hands. “Just think, one day you’ll by the Queen of Dratun and I shall be your King.” He leaned forward and his lips brushed hers lightly. “Would you like that?” Another kiss followed. “To be my Queen?”

  His finger trailed down past her lips and he gently traced her collarbone.

  Her breath quickened and she found herself breathily answering, “Yes.”

  Now he was tracing the outline of her gown as it fell against her chest.

  “Yes, I would like that very much,” she whispered.

  She could feel his warm kisses replace his fingers along the top of her dress and his hand slid down her leg.

  Her back arched involuntarily. She closed her eyes and inhaled.

  “You are so beautiful,” he murmured.

  His hand inched around her legs and settled on her lower waist.

  Prince Algid pulled his new bride onto his lap.

  Giggling nervously, Sophie wasn’t sure what to do next.

  Her hands began shaking when she tried to undo the buttons on his shirt.

  Finally, the last button was undone and she pulled back his shirt, exposing his muscular stomach.

  Suddenly, out of nowhere, a huge jolt sent Sophie flying backwards!

  Slamming into the other side of the carriage, sharp pains shot through her shoulder.

  “Ouch!”

  “Princess! Are you okay?”

  She tried to get up, but it was too painful. “I’m not sure. My shoulder, it really hurts!”

  He sprang to his feet and knelt beside her. Inspecting her, he shook his head. “I don’t know what’s wrong. We must
get you to a healer at once!”

  Placing his strong hands around her waist, he gently lifted her onto the seat. He grabbed several pillows and propped up her arm.

  “I’m going to go see what happened and how far we are from the nearest healer!”

  Algid pushed the royal carriage door open and plunged into the darkness.

  Before she could say anything in response, a blood-curdling scream pierced the air.

  Chapter Twenty

  ROUNDING THE CORNER, RYDER, ALBIE, and Pidifer stood with their weapons poised and ready. The next guard was scheduled to arrive any second and they planned to take him down quickly and quietly.

  “You ready?” whispered Ryder.

  “You bet,” said Albie in a hushed tone.

  Shuffling armor and brash voices filled the dark hallway.

  “Here we go!” said Pidifer.

  The three worked together like a well-composed symphony. Ryder slashed and cut with his sword, Pidifer swung a club, and Albie jabbed with a sharp spear.

  The guards never stood a chance, and soon lay slain in a crumpled heap on the floor.

  “Nice work, guys,” said Ryder.

  The orvba puffed up his chest and said, “We orvba are great warriors.”

  They continued down the hallway and around the next corner.

  “Calla said we need to follow the green torches on the wall to find the servants’ quarters,” said Albie.

  They ran into a few more guards before they reached their destination. Luckily, they disposed of them just as quickly.

  “Hey Albie, you’re not bad with that spear,” said Ryder.

  Albie grinned and did a small bow. “Why, thank you.”

  After sneaking through several more passages and down a few more hallways, they reached the servants’ quarters.

  “Calla said the men are on one side and the women are on the other,” said Albie.

  “Okay, you two stand guard while I look inside. Hopefully my mom is in there or someone can tell me where she is,” said Ryder.

  Ryder slowly pushed open the rotten wooden door. “Hello? Is anyone there?”

  Stepping into the large open room, it took his eyes a minute to adjust to the dim light. The room appeared vacant and rows of empty bunk beds were stacked against the four walls.